Leadership Principles from Robin Williams

I hope you enjoyed the last lesson from Mr. Keating. Carpe Diem, seize the day boys make your lives extraordinary. Now it’s time for lesson number 2.

http://youtu.be/tmayC2AdkNw

What are ways that you need to challenge the status quo?

As Einstein said, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that we were at when we created them?”

What do you like about that quote?

What does this quote say about Einstein’s world view or paradigm?

Why should we challenge the status quo? Isn’t that what leadership is all about? Leaders have a perspective or a world view that frequently deviates from the status quo? Perhaps some background on paradigms would be helpful….click here for some information on paradigms.

Leadership is about leading change and influence. And if you think you are leading and you turn around and no one is following…..you’re just going for a walk!

It takes a strong fish to swim upstream, but any old dead fish can float down the stream like the rest of them. Perhaps the status quo sheep in your life are telling you that your perspective is baaaaaaaaaad (pronounced with best sheep accent). Remember, all significant break-throughs were break-withs old ways of thinking.

Here is the quote from Walt Whitman that Mr. Keating quotes at the end of the video.

O ME! O life!… of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

What will your verse be?

Today, don’t ask where the path may lead, go where there is no path and leave a trail!